My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Utley to have surgery on his hip next week.

Utley to undergo hip surgery next week

Phillies star could miss Opening Day; Feliz should be ready

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

So, he was playing hurt. Hey Utley, why didn’t you just say so, dude?

PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley will have right hip surgery next week, a prodecure that could threaten his availability for Opening Day and deals the first blow to the World Series champions’ hopes of repeating.

Pedro Feliz is also scheduled to have surgery on his lower back on Thursday, and he will then complete an eight-week rehabilitation program. He should be ready for Spring Training.

Since the World Series ended, Utley has had several diagnostic studies on his right hip, which bothered him during the 2008 season. The lefty still managed to bat .292 in the second half, but his power numbers dipped noticeably. He had 53 extra-base hits, including 25 homers, in his first 94 games, but 25 extra-base hits (eight homers) in the final 65 games.

Utley hit .220 in the postseason overall, but .353 in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.

Team physician Michael Ciccotti at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York both recommended surgery. The recovery will allow for the initiation of baseball activities after three to four months, though the total recovery time may be four to six months.

Feliz, 33, spent 26 days on the disabled list with lower-back problems and sought an offseason evaluation. Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles will perform the surgery, which is scheduled to be a lumbar discectomy. (H/T Phillies.com)

Great, Utley is going to be out for a while after getting his right hip worked on. Sounds like Eric Bruntlett is going to be needed again.

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